Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-12-30
A TRUE BEAR STORY.

the province OF New brunswick, in Cum
, berland county. 1t is q wild, romanti
spot, and for many years its silence ha
, not been broken by an invader Of an
, kind. Near to the camp the Mamazeke
river ziGzags its way through the Quie
|, forest until ii empties its clear, cold water
into the more pretentious stream know
As the Tobique.
1t was on the 1st Of last August tina
Mr.. c. James Conley, Of the Adams house
and his brother Jack, Of New York. begai
puzzling their brains rs to the best plac,
in which to spend their vacation. The!
were bent on a fishing excursion, anl
wanted to find a place, il such . thine
! were possible, where the fly throwers die
! not outnumber the speckles on the back o.
each trout caught; and having settled the
question of destination they Immediately
began to prepare for their long journey
Fish poles, fish lines, two Winchester
rifles, high topped boots, hunting suits
and in fact everything necessary for Z
complete outfit for warfare on fin and
feathers was procured and packed away in
two strong boxes, where they were to re
main until the edge Of civilization VA
reached on the line Of their trip.
There were no special incidents during
4 thS JouihSy VASVpN thC puEVHAsIHk vi =
small bicchbark canoe and the employ.
ment of three Indian guides to pilot the
tourists through the wilds Of the New
Brunswick forests. 1t was a long, tedious
march the vacationists had decided upon.
and led through miles Of interlaced
branches of heavy brushwood, across roar
ing streams and over rocky eminences and
dismal valleys In course Of time the fish
ing grounds were reached and the party
went into camp on the bank Of the Mama
zekei river.
| One morning Jimmy. with one Of the
Indian guides. named Joe started on tour
on their own hook" The guide carried
the fishing tackle, while Jimmy shpuldered
| HIS Winchester and strapped on Mis- game
bag. The little birch canoe, which has
been referred 10 heretofore, was moored in
a shady nook in the stream. To this point
the two turned their steps. The frail craft
was boarded. and her Prov pointed up the
| river
They had nat gone far when their pro-
| gress was suddenly interrupted by = huge
pine tree that lay directly across their
path. As they were carrying the little
| boat around the obstruction. on the west
ern bank. the eye Of the Indian became
suddenly riveted upon number Of pecu-
liarly shaped imprints in the soft earth
near a small pool, n few feet above the
PROSTATE tree.
What have you found. Joet' inquired
Ji,nmy. as he came around to where the
Irdian was standing.
''Bix bear; he drink here: lookw And
'.e be;lt down and traced the outlines Of
The impressions in the watery earth. He
come when the sun 60 down. He live
| over there" said Joe, indicating the To-
colity with motion Of his head.
Il am going to have that fellows skin,"
were Jimmy's first words after the Indian
had finished 1--WE must Immediately set
to work for its capture. What q reputa-
ton l shall earn when the boys see me
bringing black bear into camp" he
mused. They are not looking for such
game. / wish old bruin would hurry up
and get thirsty. can hardly control my
feelings until he takes his nightcap."
The banks Of the stream at this point
were about ten feet in height and COM
posed of a yellowish alluvial deposit. The
face OF the declivities were rather steep,
and knotted roots and vines covered the
surface. After securing the canoe to the
trunk Of the tree they crossed to the op-
posite bank and began digging steps In
the soil, so that Q hasty retreat could be
easily made if the shaggy monster which
they were to make war upon took il into
his head to make fight at close quarters.
They were also careful to chop away the
under branches Of the tree, so that the
weight of the animal--if he attempted to
cross the river by that means-would
drop into the water. After completing
these arrangements the two men passed
the rest of the day in fishing and lounging
about the immediate vicinity Of bruins
watering place.
Just as the sun began to dip behind the
horizon Joe suggested that they take up
position and watch for their Zig game.
Carefully concealing themselves behind
the tree, they directed their eyes 10 the
little pool on the opposite bank. They
had not been in hiding more than ten
minutes before Joe's delicate auricular
apparatus detected a sound Of cracking
twigs and dead leaves in the direction the
pair were looking.
"He come. Mr. Jim," said the Indian,
as he listened intently, while resting hts
head upon the thick cushion Of last years
fallen foliage.
Where, in what direction, eagerly
asked Jimmy. as he easel the harrel Of
his rifle upon the tree and carefully raised
the hammer
''See, brush wave" responded Joe, and
sure enough the thicket Just u the left OF
the pool was being agitated to an unusual
degree. Just theu the body Of one Of the
largest and finest specimens Of . black
bear ever seen in that locality emerged
from the brush, and bruin walked
leisurely TO his watering place.
Jimmy's finger was on the trigger OF
his rifle in IN instant His dream Of glory
was about TO he realized. The excitement
Of the occasion had unsteadied his aim.
Crack went the rifle, and when the smoke
raised both men peered over the tree to
learn what execution had been done. As
Tar as any evidence that bruin gave, he
was in rs good form as at any time during
his life He paused in his libations for
moment, looked over in the direction
whence the sound had come, and con-
tinued his refreshing dranght.
A second report of Jlmmy's rife was
heard. and this time old bruin felt the
sting OF the bullet, for he uttered q pecu-
liar cry, lifted his nose from the water,
and mapped out route on . direct line
with his enemies. He meant serious busi-
ness. and his little black eyes snapped
with the fire Of rage. The hunters had
no desire to try n collar and elbow wrest-
ling match with their long clawed antag-
onist, and decided upon an inglorious re-
treat. The Indian gained the top Of the
bank in safety, and Jimmy attempted to
follow him, but just as he had made half
that distance his footing gave way and he
rolled down to the waters edge. His
rifle flew from his hand, and he had
nothing LIT with which to protect him
self except a hunters knife that he car
ried in his belt. He, however, secured his
rife again and made second effort To
reach the top Of the banA- This time he
was more successful, and. joining his In
dian companion, he came into camp.
Neither Of the hear hunters said word
about their experience. Jimmy was par
ticularly anxious 10 keep it from his COM
panions, as he did not want them to know
that his markslnanshiD WAS so Door that